Navy Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Navy Hall |
|
|---|---|
Navy Hall's stone walls encase the original wood building
|
|
| Location | Fort George, Ontario, Canada |
| Built | 1765 (original) 1815 (rebuilt/current) |
| Original use | Naval establishment |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
Navy Hall is a special building in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. It looks like a stone building, but inside it has older wooden walls. This place was very important because it was where Upper Canada (which is now Ontario) held its very first government meetings.
The first meetings of the provincial parliament happened here from 1792 to 1796. Navy Hall is part of the Fort George National Historic Site. It sits right by the Niagara River, close to Fort George. Across the river, you can see Fort Niagara in the United States.
Contents
The first Navy Hall was built in 1765. It was created by commanders of the Royal Navy. This place was like a naval base. It had a small shipyard for building and fixing ships. There were also docks, storage buildings, and homes for the naval officers.
Navy Hall was a key spot for supplies. It helped move goods to other forts on the upper Great Lakes. During the American Revolution, naval ships and their crews spent their winters here.
A Governor's Home
In 1792, a very important person arrived. This was John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada. He chose one of the buildings at Navy Hall to be his home and office.
Upper Canada's First Parliament
In 1792, the very first parliament in Upper Canada met. Their first meeting was in a tent near Navy Hall. Soon after, on September 17, 1792, the parliament started meeting inside Navy Hall.
Moving the Capital
The next year, Governor Simcoe decided to move the capital city. He wanted to move it to York, Upper Canada, which is now Toronto. He thought York would be safer from attacks by the United States.
Even though the capital was moving, Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake) stayed the seat of government until 1796. This was while new parliament buildings were being built in York. After the government moved, Navy Hall was used as a dining hall for officers from nearby Fort George.
Rebuilt After War
Navy Hall was badly damaged during the War of 1812. American cannons fired at it and destroyed it. After the war, the British rebuilt some of the fort's buildings. Today's Navy Hall is the only one left from that time.
The building we see today was built shortly after the War of 1812. It was first a wooden storehouse. In 1838, it became a barracks, a place for British soldiers to live. This was during the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837-38.
During World War I, Navy Hall was used as a medical supply center. It helped Canadian soldiers at Camp Niagara, who were getting ready to go overseas. In the 1930s, the building was moved to its current spot. The Niagara Parks Commission then added the stone walls around it.
Today, Parks Canada manages Navy Hall. It is part of the Fort George National Historic Site. Navy Hall is sometimes rented for private events. Because of staff shortages, it is usually closed to the public.
Inside, Navy Hall holds many old items from its more than 200 years of history. Even if you can't go inside, you can still visit the grounds. You can read outdoor signs that tell about its history. You can also see the Simcoe Memorial monument. It's a great place to enjoy the quiet views of the Niagara River and Fort Niagara. Parking is available, and you can even catch a steamboat from a nearby dock.
See also
